# Sign Regulations in Shrewsbury Borough, New Jersey

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Shrewsbury Borough, New Jersey, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Shrewsbury Borough, New Jersey (NJ)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/new-jersey/shrewsbury-borough
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-28
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/6177773#6177773)

## At a glance

Shrewsbury Borough, New Jersey regulates 35 sign types across 8 zoning districts. Freestanding Sign (Up to 500 ft frontage)s in the B-2 Business Zone, HC/PO Highway Commercial/Professional Office Zone zoning district are capped at 10 feet tall and 50 square feet, with a 75% of building setback setback (Sec. § 94-8.34M(2)(a), table). Most commercial signs in Shrewsbury Borough require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (8 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | 30 inches | 50 square inches | — |
| Residential zones (R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-4.5, R-5, PSC-3) | 5 | 8 feet | 25 square feet | — |
| R-1B Residential (Senior Citizen) Zone | 4 | 8 feet | See General Regulations (nameplate: 50 in², lawn: 1.5 sq ft/side) | — |
| Limited Industrial Research (LIR-60, LIR-88) Zones | 4 | 10 feet (if Residential zone abuts) | 50 square feet | — |
| P-1 Professional Zone | 1 | — | — | — |
| B-1 and B-3 Business Zones | 2 | 10 feet | 50 square feet | — |
| B-2 Business Zone, HC/PO Highway Commercial/Professional Office Zone | 5 | 15 feet | 100 square feet (if all additions taken) | — |
| L-I Industrial Zone | 3 | — | 28 square feet (per side) | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 8 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Freestanding Sign | 10 feet (unless otherwise provided) | — | — | 20 feet minimum from lot line, unless otherwise provided. | — | No closer than 20 feet to any lot line, unless otherwise provided; not to impede the view of any street/intersection. | — | § 94-8.34A(4)-(7), (11); C(1)-(4); E; B(1)-(3); |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Flat against side of building, can't extend above wall or cornice. | — | § 94-8.34A(9), (10), (8); C(3)-(4); B(1)-(3); |
| Resident Name/Number Plate | — | 50 square inches | — | — | — | Affixed to house, apartment, or mailbox | — | § 94-8.34F(6) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | 4 square feet (single face), 8 square feet (double-faced) | — | Not closer than 1/2 the building-to-lot line distance | 1 per 200 feet | On premises being sold/leased/rented | — | § 94-8.34F(10) |
| Real Estate Open House Sign | 30 inches | 4 sq ft (single-sided), 8 sq ft (double-sided) | — | — | — | Only in public right-of-way; does not block sight triangles. | — | § 94-8.34F(10.1) |
| Temporary Sign (Charitable/Religious Event) | 8 feet | 12 square feet | — | — | — | Flat against building or freestanding | — | § 94-8.34F(12) |
| Temporary Political Sign | — | 6 square feet | 4 feet | — | — | — | — | § 94-8.34F(13) |
| Garage Sale Path-marking Sign | — | 2 square feet each | — | — | 2 | — | — | § 94-8.34F(14) |

### Residential zones (R-1, R-1A, R-2, R-3, R-4, R-4.5, R-5, PSC-3)

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Residential Nameplate/Lawn Sign | — | See General Regulations (Residential lawn sign: 1.5 sq ft/side; nameplate 50 in²) | — | — | — | — | — | § 94-8.34H(1), F(6), F(7) |
| Real Estate Sign | — | See General Regulations (4 sq ft/8 sq ft double-faced) | — | — | — | — | — | § 94-8.34H(1), F(10) |
| Freestanding Sign (Main Entrance - Housing/Land Development) | 8 feet | 25 square feet | — | — | 2 | At main entrance to development | — | § 94-8.34H(2)(a) |
| Freestanding Sign (Other Entrance - Housing/Land Development) | 8 feet | 15 square feet | — | — | 1 per entrance | Each entrance (except main) | — | § 94-8.34H(2)(b) |
| Freestanding Sign (Rental/Sales Office - Housing/Land Development) | 5 feet | 15 square feet | — | — | 1 | At rental or sales office of development | — | § 94-8.34H(2)(c) |

### B-2 Business Zone, HC/PO Highway Commercial/Professional Office Zone

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign (Front Facade) | — | — | — | — | 1 per permitted use/activity | Front facade | — | § 94-8.34M(1) |
| Freestanding Sign (Up to 500 ft frontage) | 10 feet | 50 square feet | — | 75% of building setback | 1 per lot if multiple uses/buildings | — | — | § 94-8.34M(2)(a), table |
| Freestanding Sign (500-700 ft frontage) | 12 feet | 50 square feet | — | 75% of building setback | 1 per lot if multiple uses/buildings | — | — | § 94-8.34M(2)(a), table |
| Freestanding Sign (Over 700 ft frontage) | 15 feet | 50 square feet | — | 75% of building setback | 1 per lot if multiple uses/buildings | — | — | § 94-8.34M(2)(a), table |
| Freestanding Sign (Multiple Uses/Buildings Add-On) | — | 100 square feet (if all additions taken) | — | 75% of building setback | 1 per lot if multiple uses/buildings | — | — | § 94-8.34M(2)(b) |

## Prohibited signs in Shrewsbury Borough

- Any signs not specifically permitted are hereby prohibited.
- No signs, except window or special event signs, shall be placed on private or public property except for the purpose of identifying a use or uses actually conducted upon the premises upon which such signs are erected and for no other purpose.
- No sign shall be located in such a manner as to materially impede the view of any street or intersection.
- No sign or any part thereof shall be located closer than 20 feet to any lot line, except where otherwise provided.
- All height limitations shall be measured from ground level to the highest part of the sign or its supporting structure, whichever is higher.
- The maximum height for freestanding signs, unless otherwise provided, shall not exceed 10 feet above ground level.
- Signs erected flat against the side of a building shall not extend above the height of the vertical wall or cornice to which they are attached.
- No permanent marquees or canopies shall be permitted.
- Signs using red, yellow and green lights which, in the judgment of the Chief of Police, interfere with the operation of any traffic control signal.
- Moving or revolving signs and signs using blinking, flashing, vibrating, flickering, tracer or sequential lighting.
- Signs using neon lights or any material which sparkles or glitters, except reflective paint on traffic or site identification signs.
- Any sign which, in the judgment of the Chief of Police, unreasonably tends to distract drivers or otherwise constitutes a traffic hazard.
- Roof signs.
- Signs or advertising matter of an indecent or obscene nature.
- Signs using words such as 'stop', 'look', 'danger', etc., which are placed in a manner or position which, in the judgment of the Chief of Police, constitute a traffic hazard or otherwise interfere with the free flow of traffic.
- Signs which attempt to imitate or otherwise cause confusion with existing signs erected by any governmental board, body or agency.
- Except where specifically permitted, signs advertising a product or service not sold on the premises, signs advertising or directing attention to another premises and any other signs unrelated to the premises on which the sign is erected.
- Signs causing interference with radio or television reception.
- Signs obstructing doors, fire escapes or stairways or keeping light or air from windows used for living quarters.
- Flags, banners, strings of banners, pinwheels, A-type signs, sandwich-type signs, sidewalk signs, curb signs and similar advertising devices.
- Any commercial sign or banner spanning a public street.
- Signs placed on awnings, trees, fences, utility poles or light poles, signs attached to other signs and signs placed upon motor vehicles which are continuously or repeatedly parked in a conspicuous location to serve as a sign, except for signs directing traffic or identifying various locations within a lot or parcel on light or utility poles.
- Any series of two or more signs placed along a street or highway carrying an advertising message, part of which is contained on each sign.
- A sign on a motor vehicle, truck or trailer, whether or not operational and whether or not self-propelled, which is used or parked or designated to be parked for advertising purposes, except for signs, nameplates, or letters affixed to/printed upon commercial vehicles regularly used in the course of business or in compliance with N.J.S.A. 39:4-46.
- No sign shall be constructed with wood or fiber plugs for mounting on masonry buildings.

## Signs exempt from permit in Shrewsbury Borough

- Nonilluminated directional signs identifying parking areas, loading zones, entrances, exits and similar locations (max three square feet, may include business/professional name, no advertising, in any zone).
- Temporary and permanent traffic signs and signals installed by the Borough, county or state for the purpose of directing and regulating the flow of traffic.
- Signs indicating public transportation stops when installed by the Borough or a public transportation utility.
- Historical tablets, cornerstones, memorial plaques and emblems (max six square feet, installed by government agencies or civil religious organizations).
- Warning and no-trespassing signs (max three square feet).
- Name and number plates identifying residents and affixed to a house, apartment or mailbox (max 50 square inches).
- Lawn signs identifying residents (max 1.5 sq ft per side, nonilluminated except lampposts, no advertising message).
- Signs posted by governmental agencies or pursuant to governmental statute, order, or regulation.
- Signs which are an integral part of vending machines (including gasoline pumps and milk machines), provided that they do not exceed two square feet in area.
- Real estate signs (announcing sale/rental/lease of premises, max 4 sq ft per side, nonilluminated, specific placement/setback standards).
- Real estate open house signs (subject to size, time, and placement restrictions).
- Temporary signs or advertising materials attached to a window, subject to removal after event and area restrictions.
- Temporary signs for advertising public functions or charitable/religious fundraising, within time, illumination, area, and height limits.
- Temporary political signs, with removal and size/time restrictions.
- Path-marking signs for garage sales meeting size, quantity, placement, and timing requirements.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs and advertising displays other than those expressly excluded herein shall require sign permits. The owner must apply to the Zoning Official and supply plans and specifications of proposed construction.
- Application for a zoning permit requires submission of duplicate forms including a sketch plat showing property, structures, sign location, and related details. In business, commercial, or industrial zones, construction and illumination details must be provided via blueprints.
- Where more than one use exists in a building, or where two or more buildings share common site elements or are located on the same lot as indicated on an approved site plan, only one freestanding sign shall be permitted (various zones reference this 'approved site plan').
- Additional signage for parcels bordered by more than one street may be permitted by the municipal agency, in accordance with this section's standards, for each major street upon which the parcel fronts.
- Applicants must submit specifications for the mode of illumination in accordance with the provisions for lighting, supplied as part of construction blueprints.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 8 zoning districts in Shrewsbury Borough — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Shrewsbury+Borough+NJ&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-shrewsbury-borough

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